Better than I expected!
3 stars
This book was not at all like I thought it would be. I always had the impression that it was essentially a guide to being manipulative, and I only decided to read it because someone had effectively "challenged" me (indirectly), but it's not like that at all.
It's more like an extended, in-depth examination of the "golden rule" to treat others the way you want to be treated. If you don't really understand how you want to be treated, that rule by itself doesn't go far. This book examines what makes people tick - what pleases them, what angers them, what draws them in, what pushes them away - all through the lens of what what makes the reader tick. There are abundant anecdotes to underscore the principles in the book.
The writing style and many of the anecdotes felt very outdated, but the language itself is plain …
This book was not at all like I thought it would be. I always had the impression that it was essentially a guide to being manipulative, and I only decided to read it because someone had effectively "challenged" me (indirectly), but it's not like that at all.
It's more like an extended, in-depth examination of the "golden rule" to treat others the way you want to be treated. If you don't really understand how you want to be treated, that rule by itself doesn't go far. This book examines what makes people tick - what pleases them, what angers them, what draws them in, what pushes them away - all through the lens of what what makes the reader tick. There are abundant anecdotes to underscore the principles in the book.
The writing style and many of the anecdotes felt very outdated, but the language itself is plain enough that it's still easy to understand. It just feels a bit awkward. I agree with others who suggest that this could be pared down some, but it was intended as a textbook for an adult education course, so reading it front-to-back probably makes the content feel more repetitive.
Throughout the book, the reader is reminded that the principles need to be applied sincerely, because others can detect insincerity and that will undermine the desired impact of building more positive relationships. If you don't like manipulative flattery, for example, then you can assume that others will also not like it.
Ultimately, this book is about how to get along with people better, and to become a better person to be around. This seems like an apt time for more people in the world to read this book and take its messages to heart.
